The best riads in Fes are Riad Laaroussa, Ryad Mabrouka, Dar Seffarine, Palais De Fès and Riad Alya, all in or beside the old medina, Fes el Bali. If it is your first time, start with our guide to visiting Fes. A riad is a traditional house built around a courtyard, and in Fes many are restored palaces with carved plaster, zellige tiles, plunge pools and rooftop terraces over the medina.
We ranked these 16 riads using guest review scores on Booking.com together with the number of reviews, so each place has a strong track record and not just a few good reviews. Here is what each one does best and how to choose. Fes is one of the best cities to visit in Morocco, and it is worth two full days.
Best Riads in Fes at a Glance
| # | Riad | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riad Laaroussa | A 17th-century palace with a pool and hammam |
| 2 | Ryad Mabrouka | Garden, pool and medina views |
| 3 | Dar Seffarine | Character and a relaxed rooftop |
| 4 | Palais De Fès Suites & Spa | Five-star style and city views |
| 5 | Riad Alya | Elegant suites and its restaurant |
| 6 | Riad Fes Relais & Châteaux | Classic luxury, pool and spa |
| 7 | Riad Jaouhara | Easy access by the Blue Gate |
| 8 | Palais Houyam | Pool, spa and space |
| 9 | Karawan Riad | Rooftop views and a calm spa |
| 10 | Riad Fez Yamanda | History and literary-themed rooms |
| 11 | Riad Sahraui | A historic house with a sun terrace |
| 12 | Riad Dilar Fes & Spa | Families and good food |
| 13 | Riad Marjana Suites & Spa | Indoor pool, spa and comfort |
| 14 | Palais Faraj Suites & Spa | Palace setting with medina views |
| 15 | Dar Bensouda | Two courtyards and a pool |
| 16 | Dar Lys Luxury Riad & Spa | Spa and wellness |
The Best Riads in Fes, Ranked
1. Riad Laaroussa
Set in a 17th-century palace in the heart of the medina, Riad Laaroussa has rooms around a large patio, a traditional hammam and spa and an outdoor pool in its garden courtyard.
Why we love it: a beautiful palace setting with the best combination of ratings and reviews in our list.
Check prices and book Riad Laaroussa on Booking.com
2. Ryad Mabrouka
In the medina, about a 10-minute walk from the Dar Batha Museum, Ryad Mabrouka has a lush garden, an outdoor pool, elegant rooms and a rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the old city.
Why we love it: a green, peaceful garden in the middle of the medina.
Check prices and book Ryad Mabrouka on Booking.com
3. Dar Seffarine
A restored house in Fes el Bali with a lounge, a garden, a terrace and a restaurant, with traditional rooms and family rooms.
Why we love it: a relaxed, characterful stay with home-style meals on the roof.
Check prices and book Dar Seffarine on Booking.com
4. Palais De Fès Suites & Spa
A five-star riad with carved plaster, a restaurant serving Moroccan cuisine, a bar and a terrace with views over the city.
Why we love it: palace-style décor and five-star service.
Check prices and book Palais De Fès on Booking.com
5. Riad Alya
A refined riad in the heart of the medieval city, with suites in Moroccan style, a spa and a restaurant it is well known for.
Why we love it: an elegant, peaceful base with excellent food.
Check prices and book Riad Alya on Booking.com
6. Riad Fes Relais & Châteaux
One of the best-known luxury riads in the medina, with rooms and suites in oriental style, a pool, a spa, a fitness center and a panoramic terrace with views to the mountains.
Why we love it: classic Fes luxury with full hotel facilities.
Check prices and book Riad Fes on Booking.com
7. Riad Jaouhara
At the entrance to the medina, just a short walk from the Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud), the main entrance to the medina described in our Fes guide, Riad Jaouhara has a pool, a leafy courtyard and a rooftop terrace with views of the city.
Why we love it: an easy location for arriving and exploring.
Check prices and book Riad Jaouhara on Booking.com
8. Palais Houyam
A spacious property with a spa, an indoor pool, an outdoor pool in the garden and rooms with balconies or terraces, including family rooms.
Why we love it: more space and facilities than most medina riads.
Check prices and book Palais Houyam on Booking.com
9. Karawan Riad
A boutique riad in the medina with a spa, a restaurant and a rooftop terrace that looks over the old city at sunset.
Why we love it: calm, stylish rooms and a beautiful rooftop.
Check prices and book Karawan Riad on Booking.com
10. Riad Fez Yamanda
Set in a 19th-century building close to the main historic sites, with rooms inspired by local thinkers and writers, a spa and Moroccan cuisine.
Why we love it: a sense of Fes history in every room.
Check prices and book Riad Fez Yamanda on Booking.com
11. Riad Sahraui
A historic house with carved wood and plasterwork, a sun terrace, a restaurant and a bar.
Why we love it: a traditional stay with a lovely terrace.
Check prices and book Riad Sahraui on Booking.com
12. Riad Dilar Fes & Spa
A riad with family rooms, a spa and a restaurant serving Moroccan and international dishes.
Why we love it: an easy choice for families who want good food on site.
Check prices and book Riad Dilar on Booking.com
13. Riad Marjana Suites & Spa
A comfortable riad with an indoor pool, a spa, a fitness center, a terrace and a restaurant.
Why we love it: a reliable, well-equipped stay, and one we use on our Affordable Lux private tours.
Check prices and book Riad Marjana on Booking.com
14. Palais Faraj Suites & Spa
Set in a former Arab-Moorish palace with views over the medina, Palais Faraj has suites decorated with zellige tiles, an outdoor pool, a spa and two restaurants.
Why we love it: a palace stay with one of the best views of Fes.
Check prices and book Palais Faraj on Booking.com
15. Hotel & Spa Dar Bensouda
In the heart of the medina, about a 15-minute walk from Batha Square, Dar Bensouda keeps the architecture of the original palace, with two courtyards, a pool and a spa.
Why we love it: hundreds of happy guests and a beautiful restored palace.
Check prices and book Dar Bensouda on Booking.com
16. Dar Lys Luxury Riad & Spa
A five-star riad with a spa, wellness packages, a seasonal outdoor pool, two restaurants and concierge service.
Why we love it: a full wellness stay inside the old city.
Check prices and book Dar Lys on Booking.com
Prefer a Hotel?
If you would rather stay outside the medina, Hotel Sahrai is a contemporary five-star hotel on the hill above the old city, with a large spa, a pool and views over Fes. It is the hotel we use for our luxury Morocco tours. Check prices on Booking.com.
How to Choose a Riad in Fes
- Location: riads near the Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud) or Batha are easiest to reach. Deeper in the medina is quieter but harder to find.
- Facilities: if a pool or spa matters to you, check before booking, since many smaller riads have only a plunge pool or none.
- Rooms: riad rooms open onto the courtyard, so ask for a quieter room or one with a window if you are a light sleeper.
- Arrival: cars cannot enter the medina, so arrange for someone to meet you and walk you to the door. A private driver makes this easy.
- Season: spring and autumn are the most comfortable months in Fes, while summer is hot. See the best time to visit Morocco.
Best Riads in Fes FAQ
Riad Laaroussa, Ryad Mabrouka and Dar Seffarine have the strongest mix of guest ratings and reviews. For a classic luxury stay, Riad Fes Relais & Châteaux and Palais De Fès are excellent.
Riad Laaroussa, Ryad Mabrouka, Riad Fes, Riad Jaouhara, Palais Houyam, Riad Marjana, Palais Faraj, Dar Bensouda and Dar Lys all have a pool.
Two days is ideal: one for a guided tour of the medina and one for Meknes and Volubilis.
For most travelers, yes. You can walk to the sights and enjoy the quiet of a riad after a busy day.
No. Cars cannot enter the medina, so staff meet you at the nearest gate and help with your luggage.
Plan Your Fes Stay
Fes is part of most of our private tours, together with Meknes and Volubilis, before the drive to the Sahara. See how it fits into a 7, 10 or 14 day itinerary and what a private tour costs. Our Affordable Lux tours use hand-picked riads such as Riad Marjana Suites & Spa, and our Deluxe tours use Hotel Sahrai, or similar. If you would like to stay at one of the riads above, tell us and we will include it in your quote.
Read our guide to visiting Fes, the drive from Fes to Merzouga and the imperial cities of Morocco. For other cities, see the best riads in Marrakech, the best riads in Chefchaouen, the best hotels and riads in Tangier and what it is like to stay in a riad, or compare routes in our Morocco itinerary planner.
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